Our View: Second State of the City event opens doors to more citizens

One is during mid-day, with a $40 price tag, held at the Port of Stockton and sponsored by the chamber of commerce.

Another is in the evening, free of charge, held at University of the Pacific with any and all welcome to attend (registration is asked).

Mr. Michael Tubbs, that is downright “People’s Mayor-ish” of you.

No joke — but plenty of irony — intended.

There is plenty to praise about the traditional State of the City event. It has been held elsewhere but, for the most part, the port has become a permanent and gracious host.

The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce has worked with city departments, agencies, nonprofits and individuals to make the event a celebration of the city with booths and presentations that accentuate important networking.

But, let’s face it, not everyone can get away during the middle of the day or has the finances to pay $40 for a ticket and lunch while hearing the mayor’s thoughts on where the city stands and where it is headed.

“I thought it would be important … to do the chamber event but also an event that the wider community can go to,” said Tubbs, who will be making his first State of the City address.

Tubbs reminisced that when he first attended the chamber event in 2006, as a high school student, “the part of Stockton I was most familiar with at the time wasn’t there.”

The second State of the City event, which will include a Tubbs speech and a panel discussion, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pacific’s Faye Spanos Hall.

Those planning to attend the Pacific event are asked to register at bit.ly/2r9FDm6.

There are plenty of topics Tubbs likely will address, including crime, police-community relations, education, the economy and more.

An op-ed piece from Tubbs in last Sunday’s Record also hinted that his over-arching theme and goal — to reinvent Stockton — will be a focus.

The idea to double Stockton’s State of the City options is a solid one. We would like it to be continued in the future — regardless of who is in the mayor’s office.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.